Lakshmana Recalls the Great Who Fell through Power
Ayodhya Kanda, Doha 228
Doha 228 · Movement 2 of 2
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Lakshmana summons examples from sacred memory to support his fear. The moon transgressed against his guru's household, and Nahusha made Brahmins bear his palanquin.
Vena turned away from the guidance of both world and Veda and descended into unmatched wickedness. High station did not protect any of them from corruption.
The names become warning signs raised around Bharata's approaching army. Yet their very extremity reveals the heat of Lakshmana's protective state. He reaches toward histories of catastrophic pride because the possibility of danger to Ram feels immeasurable. The verse does not resolve the accusation. It lets devotion under fear display how quickly even remembered wisdom may be recruited by anxiety.
In the rising dust, Lakshmana lines the road with fallen kings and even a fallen moon, searching history for a shape that will contain his fear.
Read the passage from the Manas
ससि गुर तिय गामी नघुषु चढ़ेउ भूमिसुर जान। लोक बेद तें बिमुख भा अधम न बेन समान।।228।।
The moon transgressed with his guru's wife; Nahusha mounted the palanquin borne by Brahmins. Turning away from both the world and the Vedas, he became most vile. None equal Vena in wickedness.